Products manufactured by DII Industries have exposed thousands of people to a dangerous group of minerals collectively known as asbestos. Anyone working for DII Industries, using their products or living in a building constructed with materials from this manufacturing company could be at risk of mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer and other serious illnesses.
At Bailey & Glasser, LLP, our team of asbestos attorneys is dedicated to helping people who suffer illnesses due to asbestos exposure. We can help you file a claim in pursuit of financial compensation, including an asbestos trust fund claim with the DII Industries Trust.
The Dangers of Asbestos in Consumer Products
For the majority of the 20th century, asbestos was used as a primary ingredient in many consumer goods. It was especially popular in construction and building products due to its natural ability to resist heat, flame and corrosion. Many manufacturing companies added asbestos to their products to enhance their durability. Unfortunately, asbestos is a carcinogen, meaning it can cause cancer in those who are exposed to it. Manufacturing companies discontinued the use of asbestos in the 1970s.
Being exposed to asbestos could result in the inhalation or ingestion of microscopic fibers and particles. Asbestos particles can become lodged inside the body, including the mesothelial tissues – the protective membrane that surrounds many of the organs. Over many years (the average latency period is 20-60+ years), the asbestos particles can cause inflammation, irritation, scar tissue and the development of cancer cells. Many illnesses are associated with asbestos exposure, including mesothelioma. This is a deadly form of cancer with no known cure.
According to data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an average of 3,127 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Many victims are exposed to asbestos in their homes or jobs – places where they spend the majority of their time. The National Cancer Institute states that higher rates of asbestos exposure increase the risk of related health problems. Manufacturers such as DII Industries put thousands of workers and residents at risk of asbestos exposure through their contaminated products.
What Asbestos Products Did DII Industries Produce?
DII Industries is one subsidiary under the conglomerate known as Halliburton Company. This company was founded in 1919 in Houston, Texas, originally to produce oil-related industrial equipment. Over the years, it expanded into many other industries and types of products. Halliburton Company acquired Dresser Industries, which eventually became DII Industries. While Halliburton never used asbestos, DII Industries and its other subsidiaries did.
Some of the products created by DII Industries that are known to contain asbestos include:
- Brick and pipe coatings
- Compressors
- Drilling muds
- Fireproof bricks
- Industrial pumps
- Insulation boards
- Limpet spray insulation (flock insulation)
- Turbines
- Vinyl floor tiles and insulation
DII Industries was responsible for creating many products and pieces of equipment used in the oil industry, as well as in shipbuilding and for locomotives. Asbestos was especially popular as a primary ingredient in different types of insulation. This put anyone working in these industries at risk of harmful asbestos exposure, including oil refinery workers, shipyard workers, U.S. Navy members, locomotion workers and railroad workers.
What Is the DII Industries Trust?
People who were impacted by the asbestos present in products manufactured by DII Industries began filing lawsuits against Halliburton Company by the thousands in the late 1900s. By 2003, these lawsuits forced Halliburton Company to file for bankruptcy. As a result of the bankruptcy, an asbestos trust fund worth $5.1 billion was formed. It is known as the DII Industries, LLC Asbestos PI Trust. This trust fund has already paid around 500,000 claims.
Today, the DII Industries Trust Fund still contains approximately $2.5 billion that is reserved for those injured from exposure to asbestos from the company’s products. According to the latest trust update, this fund currently pays out 60 percent of any claim filed. This payment percentage system is in place to preserve the funds for future asbestos victims. If you file a claim with this trust, you could qualify for up to $81,000 in financial compensation, according to estimates from the trust’s website.
How Much Compensation Do You Qualify For?
The value of your claim will depend on factors that are unique to you. Each case is different. Asbestos trust fund claim values are based on the victim’s diagnosis, long-term prognosis, the severity of symptoms, quality of life, when the victim applies for compensation and more. If you are curious about the potential value of your claim, contact an attorney to go over the schedules used by DII Industries’ asbestos trust fund. Payment percentages are constantly being updated by asbestos trusts and may increase or decrease year by year.
How to File a Claim With the DII Industries Trust
You may be eligible for compensation from the DII Industries, LLC Asbestos PI Trust if you have been diagnosed with a disease or condition connected to exposure to asbestos from one of its products. You or your lawyer will need to prove using evidence and documentation that you were exposed to this toxic mineral from a product manufactured by one of the companies owned by Halliburton Company.
If you qualify, you can request either an expedited review or individual review of your claim. Both types have pros and cons. An expedited review is faster, but typically results in less financial compensation. An individual review could result in a higher payout but can take longer. An attorney can help you and your family determine the right type of claim for your specific case. Then, your lawyer can collect and submit the required evidence and documents to file your claim and pursue fair compensation.
It may also be possible to file a mesothelioma lawsuit against DII Industries on the basis of negligence. A lawsuit may result in greater financial compensation than an asbestos trust fund claim, but requires additional evidence against the company.
Contact Us Today for Assistance
For more information about your legal rights and options as a victim of asbestos exposure, contact Bailey & Glasser, LLP for a free case consultation with an attorney. We will thoroughly review your case and give you legal advice that is tailored to your situation. If we believe you are eligible for compensation through the DII Industries Trust Fund, we may offer to assist you with the claims process. Call (866) 871-7971 to learn more.
